By Christmas holidays, Leon had become an integral part of Elizabeth’s social circle — now mainly a threesome. She and Holly had come to bond with Leon and, despite Elizabeth’s initial awkward sentiments in regards to her childhood dreams, she had come to open up and trusted Leon as a loyal friend in a short period of time. 474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD7ZGlLUnb
The sense of familiarity helped her trust him, as she felt she had known him most of her life — though she had come to reject the notion that she had actually dreamed about him.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0WFjSl6Tp
Because Leon’s family lived so far away, and he had to yet to find a part-time job, Leon confided in the girls that he would be spending his first Christmas away from home and his friends and family. Why his family had chosen this small town for an exchange program, Elizabeth would never know, but both girls felt their hearts bleed for their newfound comrade. Leon seemed hesitant to speak further on the subject when pressed, avoiding eye contact whenever Holly pried, until Holly offered to allow him to spend the holidays with her family.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aK0AANshH
“My family won’t mind,” Holly explained, “In fact, they would probably love to have more company since my brother doesn’t come home for the holidays anymore.” Holly’s elder brother was nineteen, and had moved in with his college girlfriend half a country away. It was the first holiday season that he wouldn’t be returning to visit his family, as he was spending the holidays with his girlfriend’s family instead. Everyone understood his sentiments, but that didn’t change his parents’ disappointed and realization that their babies were growing up fast.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2huHN13r6X
“Are you certain? I wouldn’t want to impose,” Leon asked in a hesitant tone.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3zH21yiiG
“Of course! They’ll treat you like family, right Elizabeth?” Holly turned the attention to Elizabeth who had remained silent all day up until this point. Elizabeth nearly choked on her coffee as she had been mid sip, and began to roll the cup between her palms in a nervous motion.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtEU2ufIjn
“Honestly?” She looked up to meet Leon’s intense gaze. “Her family is, what I like to call, aggressively polite.” Leon looked puzzled, so Elizabeth elaborated: “if you do go to visit, they will insist non-stop on allowing them to wait hand and foot on you, until you feel like it is also your own home.” Leon’s eyes lit up in recognition and amusement.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuqO9p9kdz
“I will have to be careful that I don’t become too comfortable, or I may never want to leave,” Leon chuckled, but Holly’s expression brightened.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIQQoRbLfX
“I’m okay with that,” Holly muttered under her breath, and only Elizabeth heard the inappropriate comment. She rolled her eyes when Leon was looking away, and a smirk tugged at the corner of Holly’s mouth.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCftp3MoHD
Leon’s attention had been grabbed by a group of female students who were headed in their direction, giggling and waving. Holly waved back, though she knew most of the attention was directed towards the foreign boy.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgBDj4caLG
“Holly, I hear you’re having an end-of-semester party?” one of the pretty girls asked as they approached their table.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfIPRJeG7g
“I didn’t know that,” Leon commented, looking over to Holly.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rjEkInxv0
“Neither did I.” Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed at her friend, suspiciously. Holly flushed.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nVkk0NVK9
“Well, I wanted it to be a surprised since you were so worried about exams,” Holly explained with a casual wave of her hand, as though dismissing the topic altogether.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxXaHe8jqV
“Un-huh.” Elizabeth wasn’t impressed. “I think you’re trying to keep Leon’s attention to yourself,” she accused. Holly feigned mock hurt.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGkwJXcs31
“I’m insulted you would think so low of me,” Holly gasped with a dramatic wave of her hands.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrT07YunMQ
“I doubt that,” Elizabeth commented as she took a sip of her coffee.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxAL2WwZpm
“Why would she want that?” Leon asked, completely oblivious. The group of giggling girls all sighed in unison.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJY68X3Izw
“You really don’t know, do you?” one of them asked.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR6uFwUdfR
“Know what?” Leon asked again. Elizabeth had to muse that it was cute how oblivious he was to his own appeal. She herself often found herself marveling at his unique appearance, especially those entrancing blue eyes.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtQXXKZppQ
“You’ll figure it out,” the third one chimed in a mysterious tone. The group of them giggled again, a sound which was beginning to annoy Elizabeth, and took their leave with a casual: “see you at the party!”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvyqZuuEVX
“On that note,” Holly cleared her throat, “the party is this Friday, right after the last exam. Slumber party style. Make sure to let your mom know, Elizabeth.” Elizabeth nodded.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICxTtBVWIt
“Sure,” she agreed easily.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSItI4k8E6g
“Since you’ll be staying with me, I’m sure you’ll be in attendance, Leon?” Holly’s question was rhetorical. As long as he was staying with her, he would have very little say in his own actions for the next couple weeks. Realization finally set in with Leon and he sighed to himself.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBQ3c9ZxrI
“Sure,” he replied lamely.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZIB2xdgMr
“Excellent, then it’s settled,” Holly chimed and clapped her hands together. “I’ll see you both Friday after class!” With that, she rose to her feet, turned on her heels, and skipped away in a delighted mood.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3UMYfIgmw
“Good luck with her,” Elizabeth commented in monotone.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLAjqzUv8U
“I’ll need it, won’t I?” Leon realized his predicament. He would have very little say in his actions for the next two weeks. At least they’d get a chance to unwind come Friday night.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYk1raittk
